Jeremiah 12:4

Verse

How long will the land mourn and the grass of every field be withered? Because of the evil of its residents, the animals and birds have been swept away, for the people have said, “He cannot see what our end will be.”

American Standard Version (1901)

How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of the whole country wither? for the wickedness of them that dwell therein, the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our latter end.

Bible in Basic English

How long will the land have grief, and the plants of all the land be dry? because of the sins of the people living in it, destruction has overtaken the beasts and the birds; because they said, God does not see our ways.

Douay-Rheims 1899

How long shall the land mourn, and the herb of every field wither for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? The beasts and the birds are consumed: because they have said: He shall not see our last end.

Free Bible Version

How long will the land have to mourn and the grass in every field be dried up because of the evil of the people who live there? The animals and birds have died out because the people have said, “He doesn't know what's going to happen to us.”

Geneva Bible 1599

Howe long shall the lande mourne, and the herbes of euery fielde wither, for the wickednesse of them that dwell therein? the beastes are consumed and the birdes, because they sayd, He wil not see our last ende.

King James (Authorized) Version

How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our last end.

Translation for Translators

This land is [RHQ] becoming very dry and even the grass is withering. The wild animals and the birds have all died because the people are very wicked. All that has happened because the people have said, “Yahweh does not know what we are doing (OR, what will happen to us)!”

Unlocked Literal Bible

How long will the land go on drying up, and the plants in every field wither because of the wickedness of its inhabitants? The animals and the birds have been taken away. Indeed, the people say, “God will not see what happens to us.”

Noah Webster Bible

How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He will not see our last end.

World English Bible

How long will the land mourn, and the herbs of the whole country wither? Because of the wickedness of those who dwell therein, the animals and birds are consumed; because they said, “He won’t see our latter end.”

Young's Literal Translation

Till when doth the earth mourn, And the herb of the whole field wither? For the wickedness of those dwelling in it, Consumed have been beast and fowl, Because they said, 'He doth not see our latter end.'

Context

The Prosperity of the Wicked

³But You know me, O LORD; You see me and test my heart toward You. Drag away the wicked like sheep to the slaughter and set them apart for the day of carnage. ⁴How long will the land mourn and the grass of every field be withered? Because of the evil of its residents, the animals and birds have been swept away, for the people have said, “He cannot see what our end will be.”

Summary

In this verse, Jeremiah expresses his frustration and confusion to God, questioning why the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer. He is struggling to understand the ways of God and the apparent lack of justice in the world. This passage reflects the common human experience of grappling with the complexities of life and the seeming disparity between God's promises and the harsh realities of the world. Jeremiah's honesty in expressing his doubts and struggles serves as a reminder that it is acceptable to bring our questions and concerns before God in times of confusion and distress.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

land mourn--personification (Jer 14:2; Jer 23:10). for the wickedness-- (Psa 107:34). beasts-- (Hos 4:3). He shall not see our last end--Jehovah knows not what is about to happen to us (Jer 5:12) [ROSENMULLER]. So the Septuagint. (Psa 10:11; Eze 8:12; Eze 9:9). Rather, "The prophet (Jeremiah, to whom the whole context refers) shall not see our last end." We need not trouble ourselves about his boding predictions. We shall not be destroyed as he says (Jer 5:12-13).